MARCH/APRIL 2017
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MULTITROPHIC AQUACULTURE
Drakes Bay shutdown offers lessons FOCUS ON SHELLFISH for California shellfish farmers Closure of oyster farm in coastal park put oyster farmers on edge FOCUS ON SHELLFISH BY AARON ORLOWSKI
he eviction FOCUS ONof Drakes Bay Oyster Co’s California shellfish farm from SHELLFISH Point Reyes National Seashore in
Photo Credit Brenna Schlagenhauf
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December 2014 left oyster farmers up and down the Pacific Coast nervous about their own fates. But the rancorous battle that preceded the shutdown has yielded several valuable lessons for shellfish farmers in California and aquaculturists across the country, Drakes Bay owner Kevin Lunny tells Aquaculture North America (ANA). Since closing down the farm, the National Park Service has wasted no time in dismantling eight decades worth of oyster farming equipment, beginning in January 2015 by removing nine commercial buildings and nearly 6,000 square feet of asphalt and concrete. All told, the Park Service will remove five continued on page 14
n aquaculture project in New Hampshire that raises steelhead trout in net pens at the mouth of the Piscataqua River in New Hampshire is enabling the local community to enjoy fresh, locally grown fish. A joint project between the University of New Michael Chambers holds up long Hampshire (UNH) and length of sugar kelp seaweed New Hampshire Sea grown in the IMTA raft. The kelp Grant, the project raises is sold locally to restaurants and 350 to 400 fish in two nets breweries to make beer on a floating platform 500 yards off the shores of New Castle, New Hampshire. Project head Dr Michael Chambers said the steelhead trout has been the most successful species raised by the university. The species is hardier and grows faster — from 150 grams to around 2 kg in seven months — than cod, haddock, and halibut, he told WSCH News. Recent increased consumer interest in eating locally sourced food bodes well for the project. Orders from local markets range from 30-50 fish per week come harvest time beginning November, to the time the cages are empty in January, Chambers told Aquaculture North America (ANA). “The UNH steelhead trout is seasonal so customers look forward to them when they are available. Customers like the fact that they are grown locally
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Workers approach racks of oysters. Hog Island Oyster Co was launched in 1983 in Tomales Bay
Decoding the mystery of sea lice persistence
Biologist believes that knowledge about sea lice at larval stage may hold key to stopping re-infestation in salmon farms
ea lice have long been a research focus at Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) St Andrews Biological Station (SABS). Recently, studies have focused on the ecology of their early life history stages, non-chemical methods to reduce their incidence, and genetic selection of sea-lice-resistant Atlantic salmon. These elements have been, or are being studied, in an attempt to combat sea lice outbreaks in near-shore ocean caged fish. Current treatment methods used by industry are mostly aimed at combating the adult stage of sea lice once they have infested the salmon. This is done by killing, removing and/or collecting the attached parasites. However, by the time the salmon are treated, the female sea lice carrying the egg strings (known as gravids) have already had ample opportunity to produce eggs. These viable eggs can hatch and the subsequent larvae may become the next generation to possibly re-infest the salmon farms.
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Credit: DFO
Mussels and seaweed thriving under the nets offer added value BY LIZA MAYER
SALMON
Emily Nelson sampling for sea lice larvae
Project provides local source of steelhead trout in New Hampshire
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Credit: Rebecca Zeiber/N.H. Sea Grant
FOCUS ON SHELLFISH
continued on page 8 Publications Mail Agreement #40027115 Registration #9920 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO 4623 William Head Rd. Victoria BC V9C 3Y7 email: peter@capamara.com